Gardens of Chatworth and the Revelation Garden Fountain

Created by celebrated British sculptor Angela Conner, Revelation is the latest addition to the Chatsworth ornamental exterior fountains.
In 2004/5 she was commissioned by the late 11th Duke of Devonshire to produce a limited edition bust of Queen Elizabeth, in brass and steel, for the Queen’s 80th birthday.
In 1999 Revelation was placed in Jack Pond, one of Chatsworth’s earliest ponds.
The four large steel flower petals close and open with the circulation of water, alternatively camouflaging and revealing a gold colored globe at the sculpture’s heart.
Standing five meters high and five meters wide, the globe was made from steel and then painted with gold dust.
This most recent water fountain is an intriguing and innovative addition to the Gardens of Chatsworth, unique in that the motion of the flower petals is entirely driven by water.

The Source of Modern Day Outdoor Garden Fountains

Pope Nicholas V, himself a well educated man, reigned the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 to 1455 during which time he commissioned many translations of ancient classic Greek documents into Latin.
He undertook the beautification of Rome to turn it into the model capital of the Christian world.
Beginning in 1453, the ruined ancient Roman aqueduct known as the Aqua Vergine which had brought fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away, underwent restoration at the behest of the Pope.
The ancient Roman custom of building an awe-inspiring commemorative fountain at the point where an aqueduct arrived, also known as a mostra, was restored by Nicholas V.
The architect Leon Battista Alberti was directed by the Pope to construct a wall fountain where we now see the Trevi Fountain.
Modifications and extensions, included in the restored aqueduct, eventually provided the Trevi Fountain and the well-known baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona with the necessary water supply.

Fountains Having Multiple Levels

For many years now now, multi-tiered fountains have been prevalent, particularly in gardens.
The nations in the southern portion of Europe tend to have a lot of these types of fountains.
Common places to see them are in courtyards and city squares.
Tiered fountains come in a wide array of designs, from elaborately carved styles to relatively plain types.

While they can be seen just about anywhere, they seem particularly at home in more classic environments.
It should seem as if the fountain has been part of the decor since the beginning and should blend in accordingly.

The Outdoor Garden Fountains

The water from creeks and other sources was originally delivered to the occupants of nearby towns and municipalities through water fountains, whose purpose was mainly practical, not aesthetic.
A source of water higher in elevation than the fountain was necessary to pressurize the movement and send water squirting from the fountain's nozzle, a technology without equal until the late 19th century.
Striking and impressive, big water fountains have been designed as monuments in many societies.
The contemporary fountains of modern times bear little similarity to the first water fountains.
Uncomplicated stone basins sculpted from nearby rock were the first fountains, used for religious purposes and drinking water.
The earliest stone basins are presumed to be from around 2000 B.C..
The earliest civilizations that used fountains relied on gravity to force water through spigots.
The location of the fountains was driven by the water source, which is why you’ll commonly find them along aqueducts, canals, or streams.
Fountains with flowery decoration began to appear in Rome in approximately 6 B.C., commonly gods and wildlife, made with natural stone or copper-base alloy.
The City of Rome had an elaborate system of aqueducts that furnished the water for the many fountains that were located throughout the city.

Agrippa's Amazing, but Mostly Forgotten Water-Lifting System

Unfortunately, Agrippa’s great plan for raising water was not mentioned a great deal following 1588, when Andrea Bacci praised it widely.
It may be that in 1592 when Rome’s latest conduit, the Acqua Felice, began providing the Villa Medici, there was simply no longer very much usage for the system.
Even though its success was temporary, Camillo Agrippa’s design for lifting water was the marvel of its day, transcending everything crafted in Italy since the days of classic Rome.
Renaissance gardens of the later part of the 16th century happened to be home to works including music water features, scenographic water displays and water caprices (giochi d’acqua), but these weren’t brimming with water in ways which defied gravitation itself.

Use a Outdoor Wall Fountain To Help Boost Air Quality

You can beautify your living area by putting in an indoor wall fountain.

Your eyes, your ears and your health can be favorably impacted by including this kind of indoor feature in your home.
Science supports the theory that water fountains are good for you.
The negative ions emitted by water features are counterbalanced with the positive ions released by contemporary conveniences.
Indisputable positive improvements in mental and physical health occur when negative ions overpower positive ions.
You can become more alert, relaxed and lively due to an boost in the serotonin levels resulting from these types of features.
An improved mood as well as a removal of air impurities stems from the negative ions released by indoor wall fountains
Water features also help in eliminating allergens, pollutants among other types of irritants.
And finally, water fountains are great at absorbing dust and microbes floating in the air and as a result in bettering your general health.

Reasons to Install Your Own Pond Fountain

When visualizing a fountain, most people first think of the artfully decorated ones found adorning beautiful homes, parks, public buildings, etc.
But they actually come in a range of styles and proportions that are suitable for smaller spaces.
This kind of element could even fit into the layout of your garden, yard, or exterior decor.

By adding your one of your own, two things can take place.
One is the sense of calm and loveliness that fountains create.
The sound of the water flowing combined with the charming appearance is perfect to finish off a tough day.
Your place will be even more gorgeous as well.
In addition, your beautiful fountain will inspire your guests to gather around and take photos, making your get-togethers even more entertaining.

Secondly, the fish in your pond will enjoy healthier water if you install this kind of water feature.
A pond fountain will aerate the water by keeping it in motion, which is ideal for fish.
Your fish will enjoy longer, healthier lives because of the motion of the water and the higher oxygen level.
You should see heartier plant life too.

Outdoor Fountains: The Minoan CivilizationFountains and Water and the Minoan Civilization
They not solely aided with the water sources, they eliminated rainwater and wastewater as well.
Rock and clay were the ingredients of choice for these channels.
There were clay conduits, both...
read more